I had the Lung biopsy surgery - Lung & Respiratory Disorders / COPD Message Board

sparkels1228 · 06-14-2003, 06:05 PM

I wanted to update those people who responded to my posts before.
I had the surgery on May 28th and was released from the Hospital 2 days ago. I was in there for 15 days.
The good news..No CANCER..Thank God...bad news,theres is definate indications of Intertistial Lung disease,I have to see the Pulmo before I know much more on the results.
I ended up with 2 chest tubes,I got the 1st out after 7 days and the 2nd out 2 days before I went home. THE PAIN.....Horrible. The epidural went bad to start off with because I had an attack in the middle of it,I had a pneumothorax in the front top of the lung and almost had to have a 3rd chest tube put in,thank God the leak quit growing and they decided to see if it would resolve on it's own,wich it did.
I am still in considerable pain,but it gets a little better each day,I am still short of breath,and my blood gas is still at 64% but I am gettin better,It's just a slow healing because of being on the prednisone for so many months before hand.
I want to say thank you to those "few" people who responded to my posts prior to my surgery, I truley appreciate your information,and your time. I hope you are doing well yourselves.

ROSE

kellie2 · 06-14-2003, 10:24 PM

Hi Rose - I just read your former posts for the first time last night, brought to my attention when I read someone else's post asking people to respond to you. I felt terrible for you that nobody did but thought about you all evening and wondered what had happened to you. I actually smiled when I saw your name again tonight and thought, "Oh! She's back...." I am so happy for you that it turned out as well as it did. You sound like a real trooper

I'm thinking of you and please remember there are some on here who do care.
You take care of yourself and please keep us updated on your recovery as we'll be looking for you on here. Take care.

sparkels1228 · 06-15-2003, 02:09 PM

Hi Sherry,
I ahd the V.A.T.S procedure,It is 3 incisions about 2 or 3 inches in size(I actullay haven't had a chance to see the main one yet,cuz it is still bandaged)They are under the left arm about mid chest.
They are preety painful,cuz you are cut through the muscle and everything,I also ended up with 2 chest tubes instead of the normal 1 tube.
I am getting better each day,It is just slow healing because I was on Prednisone for 5 months prior to the Surgery,Prednisone causes the Immune system to slow down and you don't heal as fast or as well.
Thank you for your response,I hope you are well.
ROSE